Lamborghini Still Says No To Formula 1 Entry

Former Ferrari team principal, and now Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali has said reiterated that the Italian Supercar maker will not be joining Formula 1 in the short-term, saying the planned 2021 rule changes come “too early” for an entry.

In an interview for the official F1 website Domenicali said the company’s priorities do not include a move into F1 in the near future, “I would say it’s difficult in this moment because the level of investment that Formula 1 needs, to be not to be competitive but to compete, is very high.’

“Today Lamborghini needs to invest in other priorities: in new product, in the network, in the dealers. We are consolidating a big group, a big growth. Therefore in the short-term I don’t see that possible. But in life never say never.”

Lamborghini was previously involved in Formula 1 as an engine supplier between 1989 and 1993. “At the end of the day there was not enough money to pay for the commercial side of it in 1993,” Domenicali added.

Recently at Monza FIA president Jean Todt confirmed one manufacturer had expressed an interest in joining F1 in the future but was unable to commit to an entry from 2021.

“I was always pessimistic to the fact with specific rules for Formula 1, we could have more than four manufacturers. Personally, I feel it’s really a great achievement to have four different powertrains for 10 teams,” Todt explained.

“My priority is to make sure that we keep them four. I always said it would be very unfair to the four engaged to say OK, we want to attract a new one, so let’s change everything,” he added.

“So what about them? About all the investments they’ve been doing for years, and change completely the regulations because we may have one or two coming?

“If we can secure those four, for me, that would be a great achievement. There was some demonstration of interest from one, who said to us ‘we are not in a situation for ’21, but what is very important for us is to know exactly what will be the regulations, because it could be a strong interest in the future.’”